2003 Custom Ocean Technical Services Inc

Viking Fast Craft Solutions developed a conceptual design of the USCG’s RB-M in early 2002 based on the requirements provided in the “Sources Sought Notice” (SSN) issued by the US Coast Guard for a Response Boat-Medium. The detail design of this initial concept was completed for the construction of the test boat. This craft demonstrated the effectiveness of the advanced “HysuCat” Technology to achieve the high speed, range and maneuvering performance required while providing excellent seakeeping performance so that the crew could utilize the full range of performance in safety and comfort.

Viking FCS proved its capability in Phase 1 to quickly and effectively design the RB-M with functional and safe arrangement of spaces and craft systems which met and in many cases exceeded the Coast Guard requirements and expectations. This was demonstrated by the incorporation of several innovative design elements developed by Viking FCS for the test boat into the RB-M specifications. These included Vector Joystick (No Steering Wheel) control system and the wireless crew communications system. 

In 2002, Ocean Technical Services, Inc, Otech, was awarded a contract by the US Coast Guard for the design, construction, and support of the Viking Fast Craft Solutions RB-M test boat. Otech and Viking FCS met this challenge completing a detailed design in three months and taking only four months to construct and deliver the RB-M test boat. The boat was delivered to Portsmouth, VA and accepted on schedule six months after the contract was awarded. The subsequent performance and mission effectiveness testing did not identify and critical deficiencies but did demonstrate the excellent performance and capabilities of the design.

The RB-M craft requirements represented a large leap in capability over the US Coast Guard’s 

Existing 41’ UTB and many other small boats currently in the USCG fleet. There are very few craft of this size in existence that can cruise at 30 knots and reach a top speed in excess of 40 knots with an operational envelope reaching 8-foot waves and 30 knot winds. Most existing craft with this performance also have very undesirable characteristics of violent motions and high shock accelerations harming the crew and craft. In addition, these craft typically require very high propulsion power with associated high fuel and maintenance costs Meeting the RB-M craft performance requirements effectively called for a significant advance in high speed craft hull form and propulsion technology beyond the traditional deep-vee hull.

The ”HysuCraft” foil supported catamaran hull form and the very high efficiency and reliability of the propulsion system combined to exceed top speed , range and towing requirements while offering greatly reduced procurement, maintenance, fuel and overall life cycle costs. The power required for top and cruise speeds of the foil supported RB-M is approximately 60% of that required for a mono hull designed to the same requirements. This resulted in savings of approximately 40% in fuel lube oil and maintenance costs for the propulsion system. 

This design with slight modifications tailored to specific operator needs can serve as a search and rescue craft / law enforcement which is her current configuration to more of a utility craft for many missions.

• 120V, 24V, 12V Operating Systems
• Furuno NavNet Chart Plotter/ open array radar 
• Nobeltec Chart Plotter/Radar
• Simrad Autopilot
• ICOM M606 VHF Radio
• Raymarine Ray430 Loud Hailer

There following are the items that were done during the last two years of service until the boat was placed on the hard:

• 03/2020 - Generator Repair by vendor not resolved
• 02/2020 - Starboard Turbo repair. Diagnosis, removal, repair and install turbo
• 10/2019 - Haul Out and repair of two failed hydraulic rams. Install transmission solenoid connectors and coils
• 10/2019 - Replacement of Port Cummins starter. Replaced with new
• 05/2019 - Replacement of the main high pressure fuel pump on the starboard engine
• 03/2019 - Replacement of the failed clutch assembly panel for the Vector controls
• 03/2019 - Replacement and certification of the outdated fire suppression system within the engine spaces. Two (2) new Sea Fire Model MD200M Fire Suppression Systems w/ Certification and tag.
• 11/2018 - Repair and replace all hardware on the starboard engine hatch door
• 03/2018 - Haul out of both motors for cleaning, maintenance, repairs of needed parts and painting. Completed tasks include but not limited to the following: 
  
  - Removal of both the port and starboard motors
  - Seal both engine fronts covers, oil pan & valve covers with gaskets
  - Reseal engines - remove and replace gaskets
  - Replace all hosers and fasteners needing replacement
  - Cleaned both freshwater and raw water engine systems
  - Flushed cooling system:heat exchangers, after coolers and transmission coolers
  - Clean, prime and paint engines. Awlgrip two part paint used
  - Clean engine spaces
  - Sealed heat exchangers with new gaskets and hardware
  - Remove and replaced both 24V alternators
  - Remount turbos with all new gaskets and hardware
  - Removed transmission drive plates and rebuild using new isolation blocks
  - Hydra-blast, prime and paint of engine mounting blocks and replace vibration  
     isolators. 
• 03/2018 - Completed maintenance and replacement of all recommended parts on both the port and starboard Rolls Royce water jet systems. Parts replaced included bearings, seals, O-Rings, housings, bushings, guide vane chambers, zincs, bolts, washers, sleeves and other necessary hardware. All replacement parts ordered from Rolls Royce. 
• 03/2018 - Rebuild of all six hydraulic ram units for steering and propulsion of the vessel's jet drives. Rebuild work was completed by Hose & Hydraulics in Clearwater, FL

• Mase Generator needs service and troubleshooting 
• Starboard Motor In-Op *
• Repair Leaking sink plumbing under galley sink
• Install six (6) new bilge pumps and float switches
• Mount High Water Alarms in engine compartments
• Install new bilge pump junction boxes in both engine compartments
• Clean Up corrosion in both engine compartments
• Repair / Replace Rolls Royce boxes in engine compartments
• Replace with new hydraulic seals for bucket and nozzle hydraulic cylinders

 * The starboard Cummins QSB 5.9 diesel engine is currently inoperative making a sea trial impossible at this time. There are several issues listed below causing the owner to remove the vessel from service. She was placed in her current location during August of 2021.

Issues include the following the starboard motor:

• High Fuel Pressure Alarm
• Suspect Headgasket blown
• Heat Exchanger - Remove, Clean, Pressure Test
• Intercooler - Remove, Clean, Pressure Test
• Vector Controls - Faulty

Port Motor is believed to be without fault and was operational at the time of the haul out in August 2021.

12V, 110V, and 220V sytems

Mase I.S. 7.6 kW Generator with less than 200 original hours. Was being diagnosed for not operating properly on the engine side and issue was not resolved when vessel was placed. in storage

All aluminum construction by Viking Fast Craft Solutions and Ocean Technical Services, Inc know as "Otech." 

• Automatic Fire Suppression System - Halon
• Viking Survival Raft 6DK 6-8 Pax
• Hydraulically Controlled Antenna Mast
• Central Air Conditioning and a Roof Top Air Conditioner inn the Pilothouse
• Stowable Ladders for access to cabin top 
• **Please Note that all Decals and Badging will be removed prior to delivery along with any Law Enforcement Equipment and Light Bars

Other than the issues explained in detail this vessel was found to be in very good condition. The starboard Cummins QSB 5.9 Turbo Diesel will require a partial rebuild to perform within normal limits. The Vector Control which is the vessels steering requires some work. Of course some additional scheduled maintenance has come due during this storage period and will require these items be updated. The Mase Generator was being evaluated by a Mase authorized representative at the time the vessel was placed in storage on the hard and efforts to resolve the issue of its not continuing to run after starting ceased. The unit has less than 200 hours of original use. Knowing that the vessel would eventually be placed on the market to sell the owner did not want to spend any more money on the vessel. 

It will not be possible to sea trial this vessel in its current state and location but detailed inspections are certainly permissible under the stipulations of an executed pre-purchase contract and deposit held in escrow.